Las Vegas Weekly

September 16, 2008 · 6:30 PM

Strip Scribbles: Arum lauded by Gaming Hall of Fame

By Robin Leach

This isn't the first weightless rodeo for Buzz Aldrin.

Photo: KirvinDoak Communications

*Congratulations to our hometown-boxing hero Bob Arum, my neighbor here who will be inducted tonight (Tuesday) into the Gaming Hall of Fame for his fight promotion contributions to the gaming industry. His fellow honoree at the Caesars Palace dinner will be rival boxing promoter Don King. Tomorrow here in Luxe Life, Bob spills an amazing secret about his upcoming Dec. 6 fight for his Philippine champion Manny Pacquiao going up against boxing’s biggest star, Oscar De La Hoya. It’s a $100-million payday for the two fisticuff stars. Bob says it will be the final fight of Oscar’s career. He has won world titles in six weight divisions and has a 39-5 record with 30 KOs. But which surprise fighter is waiting right in the wings if Pacquiao wins that matchup. It’s a shocker and Bob tells all.

*Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin hosted a personalized weightless adventure onboard the Zero Gravity plane out of McCarran. It was to kick off the new Platinum Experience with flyers getting twice the amount of floating space than the regular ZERO-G flight plus dinner with Buzz afterwards at Mandalay Bay’s Fleur de Lys restaurant with celebrity chef Hubert Keller.

*Actress Madeline Zima who co-stars with David Duchovny in Showtime’s top-rated Californication series had so much fun celebrating her 23rd birthday at the new ROK Vegas club in the New York-New York resort casino she returned for a second consecutive night. Zima, who has been acting since age seven is best remembered as Grace on Fran Dreschler’s hit Nanny series.

*Demand has been so “high” for the first reunion tour in 25 years for infamous comedy duo Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong, they’ve just added a second late-night show to their pungent performance at George Maloof’s Pearl Theater in the Palms on Oct. 18.

*Edgy magician Jeff McBride, who now stars in his own headliner show at the Palace Station joins guest teachers Tom Meseroll, author of Magus: Master of Martial Magic Bryce Kuhlman, martial arts magician; and Aaron Crow, finalist from TV’s Phenomenon for a three-day conference here today (Tuesday). It’s designed to explore the mind and body connection between performance magic and martial arts. Jeff has studied numerous Eastern martial arts including Judo, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do and Go-Ju Ryu karate. The teachers will demonstrate ways to incorporate magic into existing martial arts routines and how to utilize martial arts to enhance magic performances to other Vegas magicians and student would-be illusionists. It runs all day and evening tomorrow (Wednesday) and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday at Jeff’s very own Magic & Mystery School. McBride first came to Vegas to open for Diana Ross at Caesars Palace more than 20 years ago. Since then he has performed here and around the world and was one of the leading magicians in Caesars Palace’s Magical Empire show. Now he presents his unique style of performance art -- a fusion of magic, mime, Kubaki theatre and martial arts –- nightly at Palace Station. His television appearances that have amazed audiences all over the world include Celebracadabra, Criss Angel’s A&E Mindfreak series and Star Trek –- Deep Space Nine.

*Star Surveillance: Believe choreographer Wade Robson celebrated his second Emmy win at the weekend in L.A. back at the Luxor’s CatHouse restaurant and nightclub. The award was for his choreography on the hit TV show So You Think You Can Dance. … Beverley Hills 90210 favorite Shannon Doherty dined at Dos Caminos in the Palazzo with two friends, enjoying enchiladas, Skirt Steak, Queso Fundido, and Guacamole along with Camino de Oro margaritas and shots of Patron … Actress Alexis Bledel celebrated her birthday with a dinner at Strip House inside Planet Hollywood and dining alongside at a separate table was pint-sized actor Verne Troyer.

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